Sullivan lawmakers OK plan for deputies to be school resource officers

Tuesday

Jan 21, 2014 at 4:29 PMJan 21, 2014 at 4:49 PM

Leonard Sparks

MONTICELLO — Sullivan County's Legislature approved a plan on Tuesday under which sheriff's deputies will become resource officers for three local school districts.

Three new deputies would be hired, allowing Sheriff Mike Schiff to shift veteran deputies to the Livingston Manor, Monticello and Tri-Valley school districts.

Each district will pay 70 percent the deputy's salary and benefits. During summer vacations, holidays and emergencies those deputies will be available to the sheriff's patrol.

“We're very happy that the county is able to assist us in this way,” said Livingston Manor Superintendent Deborah Fox.

Livingston Manor once used federal funding to hire a state police trooper as an SRO, until the funding was cut in 2010, Fox told the Legislature.

“Just the presence of the officer was very helpful,” she said.

Schiff expects the new hires to enter the academy in March and be ready to join his patrol unit by the beginning of the next school year. Three veteran deputies will then be deployed as resources officers.

County Manager Josh Potosek estimated the cost to the county this year will be $150,000 because of the academy expense.

Next year the county's share will drop to 30 percent of salary and benefits. The county will also save $60,000 next year because the new deputies will eliminate the need to hire temporary deputies for the summer.

Legislator Alan Sorensen described the plan as a “win-win” for both the county and the districts. It was a verdict embodied by the unanimous vote and the presence of Fox and other school officials at Government Center.

Sullivan County BOCES Superintendent Larry Thomas told of how the deputy at his school helps mediate conflicts and potential conflicts between students drawn from all the districts.

“Sometimes issues rise to a point where we want to make sure we have law enforcement there,” he said.

Monticello once had a village officer working at its schools, but the officer was pulled in 2011 after a salary broke out between the district and the village.

Superintendent Dan Teplesky outlined some of an SRO's roles: developing relationships with students, faculty and staff; responding to accidents and acts of violence; being a bridge between school officials and the community.

Presence also has value, Teplesky said.

When school resumed after the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in December 2012, Monticello students and parents arrived to see district officials standing outside the buildings. Joining them were a deputy, a state trooper and village officers.